Genetic differentiation in populations of two Palaemon prawn species at the Atlantic east coast: does gene flow prevent local adaptation?

Abstract

Two Palaemon prawn species, P. adspersus Rathke and P. squilla (L.), occur along the European Atlantic coast. In areas heavily affected by tides (Netherlands and France), one species, P. squilla, inhabits the intertidal zone, and P. adspersus is found subtidally in the Zostera marina meadows. In areas with small tidal ranges (Sweden) both species occur in the Z. marina zone, and here the body size of P. squilla is reduced, something that in turn reduces reproductive output in this species. Is adaptive improvement in non-tidal P. squilla populations prevented by too extensive gene flow from tidal areas? To wanswer this, genetic differentiation was studied by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Each of the two species was sampled at five sites along the European Atlantic coast. Twenty-two enzymes representing 25 loci were scored. Significant genetic heterogeneity between sites was found in both species. Thus the extensive gene flow hypothesis was not supported by the results, and non-tidal populations ought to have the possibility to adapt to local conditions.